Fresh demands to see Megrahi medical files after health improves

Published on Tuesday 16 March 2010 22:03

THE clamour for full disclosure of the Lockerbie bomber's medical files grew last night after it emerged that the son of Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi has claimed that his condition has "greatly improved".

• Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi with Col Gaddafi's son, Saif Gaddafi. Picture: Getty Images

The health and life expectancy of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was the subject of renewed speculation after Saif Gaddafi suggested he was doing much better now that he was home in Libya.

Seven months after the man convicted of the worst mass murder in British legal history was released on compassionate grounds by the Scottish justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, Saif Gaddafi said he was in "good condition".

His remarks follow reports that the Libyan intelligence agent, convicted of murdering 270 people when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie, has been prescribed chemotherapy treatment Taxotere after returning to Libya.

Mr Gaddafi, who is tipped to take over from his father as Libyan leader, told the Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that Megrahi "was sick and was released for humanitarian reasons, and was soon in better health and in a good condition. His future is now in God's hands."

Mr Gaddafi also claimed the convicted killer's release had dominated trade talks with Britain. Mr MacAskill has always insisted that Megrahi was released purely on compassionate grounds.

Days after dropping an appeal against his conviction for the 270 deaths, Megrahi flew home to a hero's welcome. It later emerged that he had 2 million stashed in a Swiss bank account before his conviction. He is now said to be receiving well-wishers in his villa in Tripoli.

His eldest brother, Mohammed Ali, said: "The public response is not a political one, but a show of support for someone who is much loved. My brother sacrificed ten years of his life to assist in the lifting of the economic blockade against Libya."

Richard Baker, Scottish Labour spokesperson for justice, said: "It's time for the SNP to stop the secrecy surrounding the medical reasons for this man's return to Libya. If Megrahi is responding to treatment, then it calls further into question his compassionate release by Kenny MacAskill."

Bill Aitken, the Conservative justice spokesman, said: "The longer this goes and the more tales that come out of Libya, the more Kenny MacAskill must be cringeing. We are now over eight months after the prognosis that Megrahi had three months to live. The medical evidence was not nearly sound enough and MacAskill has embarrassed Scotland big time."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "Mr Megrahi has terminal prostate cancer and he was sent home to die based on the medical report of the Scottish Prison Service Director of Health and the recommendations of the Parole Board and Prison Governor, all of which has been published by the Scottish Government."